Incorporated in 1953 through the Westphal, Cole Harbour and Area Service Commission Act, the Service Commission provided fire-protection, recreation, street and sidewalk, and solid waste management services to this increasingly urban part of the County of Halifax. The Commission was administered by a ten-member Executive elected annually by the members of the Commission for staggered 1-3 year terms. After 1982, the Executive increased to 12 members; three from each polling district (no.7, no.17, no.21) and 3 non-voting at-large members, elected at the AGM. All ratepayers or residents of the area were members of the Commission The Commission's budget was approved by County Council and funded through the area rate collected from residents. In later years the Commission had a Fire Protection Committee, a Recreation Committee, a Garbage Committee, a Lighting Committee, a Real Estate Committee, a Finance Committee and a Municipal Development Planning Committee
The Westwood Hospital was set up in 1919 by Dr. C.E. Avery DeWitt. His father, Dr. George DeWitt had bought a large house on Westwood Avenue in the 1890s to use as a private hospital. The house continued to act as a hospital until 1929 (Sheppard, Tom. 2003. Historic Wolfville, Grand Pré and Countryside, 63). In 1929, a Committee of Management was derived from the Westwood General Hospital Association to take over the operation of the Hospital. Subsequently, the Hospital Committee began to explore the possibility of building a new hospital facility. A proposal with cost estimates was soon approved by the Association and the formal proceedings for the creation of a new hospital began. At a meeting of The Incorporators of Westwood General Hospital in April 1930, the Association formally changed its name to the Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital. In 1930, the new hospital building was opened, effectively replacing the Westwood Hospital.
Donald Dawson Wetmore, CM, author, playwright and educator was born 23 January 1907 in Truro, N.S., the son of Abram Douglas and Christina (Stevenson) Wetmore. He was educated in Truro and received BA and MA degrees from Acadia University and the University of West Virginia. He undertook theatre training in New York and Montreal, and during World War II he organized stage productions for servicemen through the YMCA in Debert, N.S. and St. John's, Nfld. After the war he became a longtime employee of the Nova Scotia Department of Education. He was drama advisor for the continuing education division, from 1946-1966, and then supervisor of the cultural services section of the adult education division, 1966-1971. Through this latter position he was an integral (and often founding) member of many key drama and performing arts organizations in Nova Scotia, including the Theatre Arts Guild, Nova Scotia Drama League, Nova Scotia Arts Council, Nova Scotia Committee of the Dominion Drama Festival, and Canadian Authors Association. He also served on the National Board for the Dominion Drama Festival from 1964-1972. As a playwright he is known for such works as The Londonderry Heirs and Dashing Through the Years, radio dramas such as Lamb in the Lea and Highland Heart in Nova Scotia, and folk operas such as The Broken Ring and Scottish Landing. He edited Loyalists in Nova Scotia: Biographies of Loyalist Settlers, a collection of essays by members of the Canadian Authors' Association, and wrote for The Canadian Author and Bookman and other periodicals. In 1972 he was awarded the Order of Canada (CM) in recognition for his contributions to community theatre in Nova Scotia, and in 1973 received the Diplome d'Honneur from the Canadian Conference of the Arts. He died in 1992.
In 1822 certain inhabitants of Digby Township petitioned Governor Kempt to establish a separate township but no formal steps were taken until 10 April 1841 when a bill constituting the Township of Weymouth became law.-- Townships acquired some powers, such as the administration of poor relief, but most of the control of local affairs was under the Courts of General Sessions of the Peace. Townships were required to keep vital records of settling families, including records of town meetings, cattle marks, land records, and grant descriptions.
W.H. Chipman and Son, iron and hardware merchants of Cornwallis, N.S. was one of several businesses established by merchant and politician William Henry Chipman, MPP (1807-1870). The firm commenced operations ca. 1842.
George Edmund Whidden was born in 1879 at Hilden, Colchester County, N.S., the son of Harris and Margaret (Sullivan) Whidden. He received his early education at Colchester County Academy, and went on to attend Queen's University, Bangor Theological Seminary and Pine Hill Divinity College. Whidden was ordained in 1914 and served in Presbyterian and United Church pastorates in Maitland, New Waterford, Glace Bay and Tatamagouche. He married Christine Brenton of Brookfield, Colchester County and the couple had no children. Whidden died on 3 August 1964 at Truro.
James Whidden and his wife Armenia lived in Cumberland County, N.S. He was a captain and died of yellow fever while at sea. Following his death, Armenia rented out property in order to remain financially independent.
James Whidden and his wife Armenia lived in Cumberland County, N.S. He was a captain and died of yellow fever while at sea. Following his death, Armenia rented out property in order to remain financially independent.